Virtual GBO Brings Disc Golf Spirit to the Online World

The usually bustling streets of Emporia, Kansas, are quiet this week. Instead of welcoming thousands of disc golfers to the town, the city's businesses are feeling the absence of its most popular event - the Glass Blown Open (GBO). The pandemic has forced the cancellation of the in-person tournament, but Dynamic Discs is finding a way to bring the excitement online.

Tournament Director Doug Bjerkaas, who was overseeing the event, is now leading the charge to create a virtual experience. "It's different," he said, "it almost feels like there's a hole." But with the help of his team and media director Bobby Brown, they're trying to fill that gap by hosting a series of events on Facebook.

The Virtual GBO will kick off with a welcome video from Bjerkaas and Dynamic Discs founder Jeremy Rusco on Tuesday morning. Throughout the week, there will be activities such as a museum exhibit, a beer festival, a Zoom-powered pro panel, and several others. The highlight of the virtual celebration will be an online tournament on Disc Golf Valley, a disc golf simulator available on both Android and iOS devices.

Brown, who was inspired by the Burning Man festival's similar move to go digital, came up with the idea to bring GBO online. "It's gonna be awkward, it's gonna be messy, but it's gonna be fun and engaging," he said. The team is confident that their virtual events will capture some of the spirit of the in-person tournament.

One of the most anticipated events is a live stream of Brown, Bjerkaas, and Eric McCabe eating surströmming, fermented herring known for its strong smell. "It's awful," Brown admitted. But they'll be able to wash it down during the virtual beer fest on Thursday night.

The Virtual GBO is not just about having fun; it's also a way to bring some joy and excitement to disc golfers who were looking forward to attending the event in person. As Bjerkaas noted, "If we can bring a taste of it, I think that will help people's spirits a little bit."

When the world is ready to welcome visitors again, Emporia will be waiting with open arms. The town and its businesses are eager to host another successful GBO event, but for now, they're happy to share their spirit online.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/salvaging-spirit